All posts by Justin

We get loads of people asking about how to clean the paper cord seat of a Wishbone Chair. Hans J. Wegner chose to use paper cord because it is incredibly durable and has a wonderful natural look and feel.

But Wegner must not have planned on spilling any red wine or salad dressing … because unfortunately, they can easily stain the beautiful material. And even though Carl Hansen & Son treats the paper cord with a light wax to make it more resistant to discoloration and grease, stains can occur.

We wish there was a magic sauce or infomercial-ready soap to clean your Wishbone Chair, but we’re sad to say, there isn’t.

Carl Hansen & Son says to never use harsh soaps or cleaning liquids on the paper cord seat as they can damage the material. They contend that your best option is to act quickly: immediately after spilling, use a damp cloth to wipe off the stain as best you can.

I recommend trying plain soap flakes in water. This is how the Danes take care of their paper cord seats … You can use [Soap Flake] brand or you can make your own by grating Ivory bar soap and dissolving it in water (2 tbsp per quart). It may take several treatments to lift heavier dirt. It’s also a good way to protect the paper cord from dirt and stains that may occur later.

Thanks to MCR for that great tip.

All this said, paper cord is notoriously stubborn when it comes to wine and oil. And for stains that are truly set-in, we’re afraid you might be SOL.